THE aptly-named 4YO filly Malaya claimed the crown in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Freedom Cup last Sunday (Feb. 8) at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.
The filly, whose name means “free,” was sent off as the outstanding favorite. Under the guidance of jockey Jonathan B. Hernandez, she won by four lengths wire-to-wire ahead of second placer Cleave Ridge.
Macho Machine arrived third, followed by Stand In Awe and Five Star last.
Malaya was in such superb form that Hernandez rode her under double-wrapped reins to the finish line without much urging, clocking easy splits of 26’-24’-24-26 for a total 1:41 for the mile.
Malaya (Sky Mesa x Dream Bride) is owned by Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur C. Abalos and trained by Ruben S. Tupas.
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PCSO’s first race for the year had a surprise outcome.
The 3YO Open race was held last Jan. 31 at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.
Featuring nine runners, the 1,400-meter event was won by Money Talks, second-to-the-last of the longshots, coming in a good length over Diamond’s Best.
Court Of Honor was third and McCartney, the favorite, fourth.
Money Talks (Randwick x In Command) was guided by young and promising jockey Reynaldo O. Niu Jr. A 3YO colt, it is owned by Emmanuel R. King Jr. and trained by Clarito C. Alvarez.
The time for the race was 1:28.8 (12.6-25-25-26.2).
PCSO’s next race is another 3YO Open on Mar. 21 at Santa Ana Park.
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The Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization will be staging the 17th Gintong Lahi Awards on Feb. 15 at the Metro Manila Turf Club’s Metro Turf racecourse in Malvar, Batangas.
In the Equine category, the nominees are: 2YO Colt: Cat Express, Jebel Ali, Sky Hook, Thunder Maxx; 2YO Filly: Driven, Hook Shot, Princess Ella, Valley Ridge; 3YO Col: Kid Molave, King Bull, Low Profile, Tan Goal; 3YO Filly: Bahay Toro, Definitely Great, Love Na Love, Lucky Leonor, Malaya;
Older Horse: Hot and Spicy, Hagdang Bato, Pugad Lawin; Sprinter: Pugad Lawin, Nemesis; Import: Classy and Swift, Crucis, Jade Avenue, La Furia Roja, Silver Sword; Horse of the Year: Hagdang Bato, Hook Shot, Kid Molave, Malaya, Pugad Lawin, Sky Hook.
In the Human category: Jockey: Christopher Garganta, John Alvin Guce, Jesse B. Guce, Jonathan Hernandez, Kelvin Abobo; Trainer: Anthony Francisco, Donato Sordan, Renato Hipolito, Ruben Tupas, Teresito Santos; Owner of the Year: Antonio V. Tan Jr., Benhur C. Abalos, Emmanuel A. Santos, Joseph C. Dyhengco, SC Stockfarm, Inc.
In the Breeding category: Breeder: Abalos, Santos, Dyhengco, SC Stockfarm, Herminio Esguerra; Broodmare: Fire Down Under, My Gal’s Gold; Stallion: Bwana Bull, Cat Brulay, Hook and Ladder, Quaker Ridge.
PCSO Vice-Chairman and General Manager lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II will be receiving a plaque of appreciation at the event, in recognition of the agency’s support of horseracing.
Also invited are the newly-installed members of the Philippine Racing Commission: Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez and commissioners: lawyers Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr., Victor V. Tantoco, Wilfredo JA de Ungria, and Jose Santillan Jr., former Philtobo president Bienvenido C. Niles Jr., and Lyndon B. Guce.
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